Ben’s Biz Backlogged Blog Bonanza

When I’m on the road I always have so much to write about, both here on the blog and over at MiLB.com. This content overload is a good thing, but one negative aspect of it is that I can’t devote enough of my attention to that which is taking place outside of the places I visit.

C’est la vie, as the French say (when they’re giving examples of the cliched French terms that Americans actually know).

But right now? Right now I’m not on the road, nor do I have any more “On the Road” content. Therefore, today will be the first in a short series of bouillabaisse posts, in which I jump haphazardly from item to item with startling rapidity. Commence organized chaos and — warning! — some of this material is rather dated. I’m working my way through this backlog in chronological fashion.

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Apropos of nothing — is R.A. Coon the best front office name in Minor League Baseball, or does Lexington’s Ty Cobb retain that honor?

(Regardless, THIS is the best blog post written by a Minor League broadcaster about someone named R.A.)

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You may have seen my recent MiLB.com article about the Jacksonville Suns’ Casey Challenge, in which team president Peter “Pedro” Bragan challenges area school students to memorize the poem.

Well, speaking of the Bragans, did you know that the Suns gave away a “talking bobblehead” of Pete Bragan, Sr., the iconic team owner who passed away last season?

It really talks. Listen!

(And speaking, as I was, of “Casey at the Bat” — my favorite rendition, by far, is Tug McGraw narrating the poem while backed by Peter Nero and Philadelphia Pops Orchestra. I have it on record, and if anyone would like to assist with the LP-to-computer uploading process then let me know because I need to share it with the world at large.)

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The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have long had an almost maniacal propensity for pig-related puns (the Pork Illustrated game program, for example, or a conference room for “Boar”d Meetings). These days, said puns are practically avant-garde.

The team has named its frozen yogurt bar the “Soo’eyte Spot.” You figure it out.

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I have no idea how or why this happened (and it seems to have happened on multiple occasions), but the Erie SeaWolves are most likely the only team to have a Dr. Batboy.

I would like for there to be a band named “Dr. Batboy.”

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Meanwhile, via Visalia broadcaster Donny Baarns, this photo of multi-generational intolerance:

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And, that’s it for now. Much more where this came from, as soon as time allows.

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

2 comments

  1. Eric Brookhouser

    Ben,
    Thanks for the posting my tweet about Erie team Dr. Brad Fox in your latest blog. Yes, I tweeted you twice about the Doctor working games as Batboy for the SeaWolves. Brad is a good guy and does have some fun with his gig as team doctor. He will do it a couple of times during the season during day games. I thought it might be interesting for people to see him step a bit outside his professional realm and have a little fun doing this with the team. Last season, If I recall correctly, he even worked as Batboy with his oldest son during one day game. Thanks again for the mention in the blog.

    Eric Brookhouser
    Erie, PA

    Reply
  2. Brad Fox

    I always said the the only thing better than being at the game is being in it. They can’t get the kids for the day games during school and I have to be there anyway….it evolved from there. I have probably worked more than a dozen games over the years. And I did help my oldest son out for a night game once when the second batboy didn’t show up. Eric is spot on.

    Reply

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